New Wines from NSW's best regions

Gartelmann Wines has released two new vintage wines, the 2016 Gartelmann ‘Sarah Elizabeth’ Chardonnay ($30) and 2015 Gartelmann ‘Wilhelm’ Shiraz ($28).

The new Gartelmann ‘Sarah Elizabeth’ Chardonnay is made from grapes grown on one of Orange’s most established and sustainable vineyards situated at 620 metres on the slopes of Mount Canobolas. 

After harvest, the fruit was barrel fermented in a combination of one to four year old French puncheons and hogsheads in order to add balanced and subtle oak character. It was then matured in oak for a further eight months with regular lees stirring to build complexity and texture.

“We have been making wine from Orange for a number of years now,” explained owner Jorg Gartelmann. “The region produces lovely fruit purity which we are trying to capture within this wine.  Whilst the French oak maturation complements this, we have inhibited malolactic fermentation so as to not mask this regionality.”

The 2015 Gartelmann ‘Wilhelm’ Shiraz, named in honour of winery owner Jorg’s uncle, is made from grapes grown in Denman.

“Although 2015 will be remembered as a very wet vintage in Pokolbin and Lovedale, we were lucky in the Upper Hunter,” commented Jorg. “The rain throughout January and February that caused issues in the lower Hunter eased off in Denman allowing the fruit to ripen and ensuring we could get onto the vineyard to pick at the right time.

“It was a vintage where the vineyard location and management played a pivotal role in the quality of the wines. The 2015 vintage wines from the Upper Hunter are richer and more typical of the region.”

The new releases continue Gartelmann’s strategy of creating wines from regions within the Hunter Valley and Central Highlands where the varieties are best suited. “Orange Chardonnay continues to improve with vine age and winemaker experience, and the Hunter Valley’s Shiraz is legendary.”